IMO no player has been more important to the Ferentz era than Bob Sanders. So it's too early to make this comparison. And this is one of those things where people only compare guys to certain other guys...like every other hard hitting DB is the next Sanders. What about the next Tyler sash. Size, speed, ball hawk? Bob Sanders was a really unique player, and 'the next bob sanders' should be used sparingly because he was so great and unique
This is well said. Had he been healthy for four years, Jordan Bernstine may have been TNBS. He had all the tools to be that kind of player, and he played with the same attitude/swagger. He just couldn't stay healthy until his senior year.
Then again, if he'd been healthy, Bernstine may have been starting at corner rather than SS.
I think Nico is lucky to have been behind Bernstine. Those types of hitters feed off eachother.
I'm glad people brought Bernstine up. To me, Nico Law can't be the next Bob Sanders because Bob Sanders was a mighty mite -- Law is like five inches taller than Sanders and is lankier. Sanders is one of the most unique players I've seen that way, he really had to build himself into being a great football player. That's what makes him a one of a kind type of player for me.
My hope is that Law develops into a player that is similar to the way Bernstine played his senior year, but with the consistency of a Marcus Paschal or a Tyler Sash-- so over a period of multiple years instead of just a flash of greatness. If Law can do that and bring the heavy hits in run support and give receivers alligator arms, I think he'll definitely become a fan favorite.
One more thought that I think is exciting about Law: in a different defensive scheme I think he'd probably have the size to be a hybrid linebacker. But he has good enough coverage skills to play in the Cover 2 (hopefully) so that's pretty cool. I think he has a chance to be a unique player for Iowa.
He's not THAT big. Probably 6'1", 200 lbs.